(Ok, I cribbed that from the Post, but it’s still a great headline.) After two years recovering from injury, former All-Star Antonio McDyess returned to the Knicks last night in their OT loss to the Pistons. He looked pretty lost out there (2 points, 3 boards), but I’m sure he’ll find his sea legs after some more minutes. In the meantime, Scott Layden has just lost his last excuse. If we can’t make the playoffs in the lEast now, heads should roll.
Category: Sports
Bend it like Adu.
In something of a coup, MLS signs 14-year-old Freddy Adu, widely considered to be a potential soccer superstar, to a six-year deal. (Dallas had the first pick, but he’ll play for DC United, the closest team to his MD home.) Suddenly, LeBron seems like the old guy in the club.
Rolling the Dyess.
After a 2-5 start and two dismal games Cleveland (not exactly the powerhouses of the league), the Knicks look for deliverance from Antonio McDyess, who will probably play Friday for the first time in almost two years. If he plays to old form, he could be exactly what the Knicks have needed since LJ retired — a guy who can command double teams and create open shots for Allan Houston and Keith Van Horn. But…three knee surgeries? Still, after Vin Baker’s comeback this year, I’d say anything is possible. If nothing else, McDyess’s return injects some interest in what’s fast turning out to be another mediocre Knicks season.
Hoooooooooome Run.
Taking a page from FIFA’s soccer extravaganza, Major League Baseball preps for a 2006 Baseball World Cup. Sounds like a plan…I’m a very casual baseball fan, but I’d probably watch.
Civil War.
It’s brother against brother in the NBA tonight as the Van Gundys meet in Houston. Even without the Knicks connection, my money’s on Jeff…but, what with the Miami Heat’s 0-6 start, so is everyone else’s.
Bloom off the Rose.
So, after blowing an 8-point lead with two minutes to go against the Magic and phoning it in against the Spurs, the Knicks are now 0-2. Is it too early to call the season?
It’s the Tipoff.
Finally, the NBA season is here. (The Knicks start tonight against Orlando, but frankly I’ve got no illusions about this squad – it’s clear the Knicks’ idiot management chose them for their “character” rather than for their basketball skills.) I must say, I was hoping the recent Shaq-Kobe feud would mean the beginning of a full-on Lakers collapse this season…but, alas, the Mailman and the Glove looked dominant last night against Dallas. Although I thought one of ’em might end up being a locker room cancer, it looks for now like Payton and Malone will instead be a stabilizing force at the Staples Center, despite whatever develops between the big fella and the possible felon.
Get out of the kitchen.
In a surprise move the weekend before the season, Pat Riley steps down as coach of the Miami Heat (he remains in the front office.) Well, I’m not sure what Riles was thinking but another Coach Van Gundy has got to be a good thing for the NBA.
Empire Falls.
To the delight of many, the Marlins dismantle the Yanks in six. Instant Karma’s gonna getcha, George.
‘Toine Gone.
The NBA world is abuzz over the trading of Celtics PF Antoine Walker for Mavs C Raef La Frentz yesterday. While my Celts-fan friends are currently aghast, I actually think this not all that bad a trade for Boston. Yes, Walker is a much better player than La Frentz. Still, ‘Toine’s not the type of guy to lead you to the Finals…if anything, he’s more likely to shoot you out of the first round. The Celts are basically taking the hit now to rebuild a contender around Paul Pierce, and I think in the long run that makes sense. As for the Mavs, I know Walker’s an All-Star, but his weaknesses — soft D and undisciplined O — are the Mavs’ weaknesses. If I were them, I’d have looked for a more tenacious defender and rebounder…I like Danny Fortson, but frankly he ain’t gonna cut it in the West.